Jason Statham To Play Himself In David Leitch’s Meta Action Comedy
Jason Statham goes full meta in his most self-aware role yet, starring as himself in a new action comedy directed by David Leitch.
Jason Statham is about to do the most Jason Statham thing imaginable: he’s starring in a big, loud action comedy where he plays... Jason Statham. Yes, finally.
The movie
The project is called 'Jason Statham Stole My Bike,' and plot details are being locked down. What’s out there is cheeky enough: it’s described as 'the role of a lifetime, playing global action superstar Jason Statham.' Expect the meta to be strong with this one.
David Leitch, who just delivered The Fall Guy, is directing. The budget is set at over $80 million, and the plan includes several big, showpiece action sequences. Alison Flierl, whose credits include BoJack Horseman, wrote the screenplay. Cameras are expected to roll in May.
Who’s making it
- Director: David Leitch (also producing)
- Writer: Alison Flierl
- Budget: Over $80 million
- Start of production: May
- Producers: David Leitch and Kelly McCormick for 87North; Jason Statham for Punch Palace Productions; John Friedberg for Black Bear; Meredith Berg and Ethan Erwin for Beryllium Entertainment
Statham doesn’t live in comedy, but when he leans into his granite-faced persona, he’s genuinely funny — see his deadpan chaos in 'Spy.' A full-on meta action comedy built around his public image feels like a fit tailor-made for his particular brand of menace and smirk.
Where Statham is right now
He’s currently on screens in 'Shelter,' which hit theaters a few weeks ago. That one follows a former British government assassin hiding out off the coast of Scotland who gets pulled back into violence when he tries to protect a young girl from the agency that wants him erased. It’s a lean, straight-ahead chase-and-fight thriller — very different lane than this new self-referential swing.
If you’ve ever wanted Statham to send up his own myth while still kicking through walls, this sounds like the moment.